First Baptist Church Bethany Students: Vintage Weekend 2011 WrapUp

So for a final wrap of Vintage 2011: Prodigal

It is been a tiresome, passionate climb to the end of February and we are so excited to see the growing fruit of the seeds sown.

So let us pause now and reflect on some of the important words and themes of Vintage (a true month of God's work in a specific way)-

we spoke early and often of....

Reconciliation- the ministry we practice because this is the reflection of God's story (Scripture). That any reading of the Bible is to be caught in the middle of either reconciliation needed or reconciliation occurring. God longs to put broken things back together, to mend, to heal, to give new start...

Repentance- the condition of the heart to heed, listen, and become ready for change... questioning "is this the best way? is there something else?" Repentance looks like the younger, prodigal son out in the pigpen thinking of his father and how something better existed. A better way of life was found when he realized his lostness and remembered his father's house

Restoration- the beautiful and painful process of things being made right... taking the first steps after repentance to another in apology and seeking a new start... throwing off old ways and old things for the joy of the new! God can make all things new, somethings may not go back to the way they once were but that does not deny the beauty of the new that can be found!

Renewal- that it is not always right all the time but for those with softened hearts (repentant) a flourishing hope for newness within themselves and in others that God is moving, living, active and about changing this world through those called and drawn to Him... "He is making us new, He is making all things new!"

this is not the end...

the work is never done...

I am reminded in just the last 2 weeks of all of these things.... 2 weeks ago I was sought out by a person who had spoke ill, hardened their heart, and thought evil against me and when she was met with a measure of truth they came to reconcile. They had realized that without truth barriers go up and doors become walls and it takes great courage to take the first step, but between Christian brothers and sisters a hope for reconciliation should always exist... And in an even more recent story (ironically with deeper roots) a great friend of mine that had become alienated, because of choices made and words unwisely spoken, restoration was found. That it was a matter of us both walking out the shady trees we left our mess in and moving towards a hope of restored friendship...

sometimes it is just worth it to go to them no matter what you think they will say... friendship blessed by God runs deep and heals in time...

we never know how long some (we/us) will tool around in the wild before we realize that the Father's house is warm and his servants are well provided for... and if we never left the Father's house are we staying out of fear, frustration, and judgement?

Links and Info for all the Vintage Weekend Seminars

Spero Project: Voices (refugees)

http://www.thesperoproject.com/

405-524-9146

First Stone Ministries (sexuality)

http://www.firststone.org/

stephen@firststone.org

Mercy Ministries (girls only)

http://www.mercyministries.org/homepage/

615-831-6987

Bridge to Life: City Rescue Mission (homeless no more)

http://www.cityrescue.org/bridge-to-life-program